Chancie Grant, Gainesville, Sr., MB: The St. Thomas University signee led the area with 86 blocks, also had 316 kills, 232 service points, 30 aces, 89 digs for 6A regional semifinalists (lost to state champion Ocala Vanguard)

Alex Fischer, Gainesville, Jr., S: 2nd in area with 760 assists, also had 206 service points, 28 aces, 183 digs and 22 kills.

In his first season, Dee led the Bobcats to a 25-6 record and their second Final Four in school history and first since winning it all (Class 6A) in 2007. Buchholz, which had lost to nationally-ranked and state champion Venice in a grueling five-set state semifinal, fell just short of the state semifinals the previous year. Dee edged Santa Fe coach Michele Faulk, whose Raiders went 26-4 and lost to 4A state champion and nationally No. 1 Orlando Bishop Moore in the regional finals.

In her fifth year as varsity coach, Land, a 1980 school alum, led the Hornets to a 25-0 season and their second straight Class 1A volleyball state title. Lafayette dominated this past season, winning 24 of its 25 matches by 3-0 shutouts. Newberry was the only team to win a set over the Hornets, who have won 45 straight matches. Land, the Florida Dairy Farmers Class 1A Coach of the Year, edged St. Francis coach Nick Cheronis (3A state finalist), Cornerstone coach Stephanie Wyatt (2A regional finalist) and Newberry coach Sarah Clark, whose Panthers reached the playoffs for the first time in 30 years.

The Gainesville Sun all-area teams, players of the year and coaches of the year were selected by Sun high school sports editor Larry Savage with help from area coaches and Sun correspondent Cliff Olsen. If a team is not represented, it is because the coach did not respond to a fax sent to the school requesting information and numerous reminders in the newspaper.